Foot cleaner for automobiles



Feb. 10, 1925. 1,526,233

w. RANCE, sR

FOOT CLEANER-FOR AUTOMOBILES u v m\ WITN ESSES Patented Feb. 10, 17925,

WILLIAM RANCE, SRA., OF FREEPORT, ILLINOS.

FOOT CLEANER FOR AUTOMOBILES.

Application ied February 15, 1924. Ferial No. 633,068.

into position for exposing a scraper which may be used for `removing thebulk of the accumulations from the bottom of the shoe or boot, and whichmay be swung in reverse direction to expose a brush for completing theoperation.

Another object is to provide a cleaner of this character which isparticularly adapted for use on the running board of an automobile, thesame being located thereon in a position to cause the scraper, whenswung into proper position, to extend over the free edge of the runningboard so as to allow the scrapings to fall upon the ground, though itwill be obvious that the cleaner may also be used with equal advantageon the end or edge of a step or a porch or in other similar places.

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtained froma` considera tion of the following detailed description, taken inconnection with the accompanying drawing forming a part of thisspecification, it being understood that while thedrawing lshows apractical form of the invention, the latter is not to be conned tostrict conformity with the showing thereof but may be changed ormodified so long as such changes or modifications mark no materialdeparture from the salient features of the invention, as specificallypointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,.in which similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several gures:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved cleaner applied inposition on an automobile running board and swung to a position forusing the scraper.

Figure 2 is a similar View with the device swung to a position for usingthe brush.

Figure is a side elevation of the subject matter of Figure 1, therunning board being in section.

Figure i is a similar view of the device as shown in Figure 2. Y

Figure 5 is an end elevation, partly broken away, of the device as shownin Figure t.

Referring to the drawing, there is shown a foot cleaning devicecomprising a metallic base member i, which is preferably oblong insha-pe' and is of sufficient thickness to withstand the strain to whichthe same may be subjected, and to 'be properly attached to the runningboard 2 of an automobile or other place, the base being properlyapertured for the reception of fastening screws 3 for the purpose.

The base is applied transversely of the running lboard or other supportand adjacent to the outer free edge thereof, and it has an integral,centrally disposed, upstanding eye 4l, which is narrower than the widthof the base and overhangs the free edge of the support, while at theopposite or inner end, the base is provided with apair of spaced lugs 5which are formed integrally therewith.

A swingable brush and scraper block 6, formed of suitable cast metal,like the base member, is adapted to coact with the same, and is providedat one end with spaced ears 7 which are adapted to flank the aforesaideye d of the base member, said ears being suitably apertured to receivethe ends of a pivot pin 51% carried by the eye, and which permits theblock (i to be swung inwardly in overlying relation to the base member,or to be swung outwardly to entend beyond the free edge of the support.

rlihe length and width of the swingable block t3 are substantially thesame as the base member, and the upper face of said block, when swungoutwardly, as shown in Figure l of the drawing, is provided with a.longitudinally disposed rib 9 extending from the ears 7 tothe outer endthereof along the center-line, the said rib being formed yby oppositerecesses l() and constituting a foot scraper.

rlhe block 6 is provided with spaced apertures for the reception ofscrews 11, which pass through and hold to the under side of theswingable block, a base member or block l2, preferably formed of woodand which extends inwardly and abuts against the depending flange 13formed at the free edge of the running board, or against the edge of astep, etc., while the outer end of said block 12 may extend slightlybeyond the outer free end of the member 6 and is preferably rounded. Thelower face of the block 12 is provided with bristles 14 to con-i stitutea brush, and the same may be formed in any desired manner or of anydesired material.

When the device is properly applied in position on a running board orother support, with the eye 4 overhanging the edge of the same, a persondesiring to remove mud or other accumulations from his boots or shoes,may simply introduce his toe beneath one of the side edges formed by therecesses 10, assuming that the swingable block 6 is initially in theposition shown in Figure 2, whereupon the said block may be swung to theposition shown in Figure 1, and the longitudinal rib 9 may be used toscrape the bottoms of the shoes, said scrapings falling upon the ground.rThe inner end of the brush block 12 bearing against the flange 13serves to hold the swingable member in horizontal alinement with thebase member and to resist the strain of the scraping operation. Bysimply lifting the outer end of the swingable block 6 with the toe ofthe foot, the same may be swung inwardly to expose the brush 14C (asshown in Figure 2), which may then be used to remove the remainder ofthe mud or dirt from the feet. In this position the free end portion ofthe longitudinal rib 9 tits between the aforesaid lugs 5, and theswingable block (3 is thus prevented from any lateral movement while thebrushing operation takes place. Vhen applied to an automobile, the block6 would be swung inwardly with the brush uppermost, as shown in Fig. 2,for safety sake while the machine is travelling.

From the foregoing it will be seen that a simple, cheaply manufacturedand eiiicient foot cleaning device has been provided, which may be usedon the running boards of automobiles without detracting from theappearance of the same, and that the device may be used to scrape thefeet and-cause the scrapings to fall upon the ground, or moved into anout-of-the-way position for brushing the feet, and it will also be seenthat the device may be used in other locations with equal advantage.

What is claimed is l. A foot cleaner comprising a base member adapted tobe secured to a support, a

longitudinally swingable block hinged at one of its ends to an end ofthe base member, said block having a foot scraper on one face and abrush on its opposite face, and means on one of the elements forengaging the other element to prevent lateral movement of the brush withrespect to the base member when the brush is in position for use.

2. A foot cleaner' comprising an elongated base, means for securing thebase to a support, a swingable block, means for hinging said block tosaid base, a central, longitudinal scraper formed on one face of saidblock, and means on the base to engage said scraper when the bloclt isswung inwardly over the base.

3. fr foot cleaner comprising a base adapted to be secured to a.support, spaced lugs formed at one end of the base, a block hinged tothe otherl end of said base and having a longitudinal scraper on oneface which lits between said lugs when swung over the base, and a brushSecured to the other face of said block, a portion of the brush bearingagainst an end of the support to prevent downward movement of the blockwhen the scraper is in use.

Il. A foot cleaner adapted to be secured to a step or an automobilerunning board and comprising a base for transverse arrangement on saidboard, a swinging block having a foot scraper on one of its faces andhinged to the outer end of the base and adapted to be swung outwardly inhorizontal alinement therewith, and a brush carried on another face ofthe block and abutting the edge of the support to maintain the block ina horizontal position when the scraper is in use.

5. A foot cleaner for transverse attachment to a step or an automobilerunning board, comprising a base having spaced lugs at one of its ends,a swinging bloclr hinged to the other end of the base and having a brushon one face and a foot scraper on its opposite face, said scraperfitting between the lugs to steady the block when the brush is in use.

in testimony, that l claim the foregoing as my own, l have heretoaliired my signature.

WILLIAM RANGE, Su.

